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Article Discussion: Mexican rodeo cancels "steer-tailing" event at Jeffco Fairgrounds
Postby ericmills on August 7th, 2010
REPORTEDLY, THERE will be some animal activists at tomorrow's event leafletting the attendees about the realities of steer tailing and other abusive events. Public education is key.
Please join them at the Fairgrounds entrance, 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 8.
IT'S CLEAR THAT THERE'S A CRYING NEED FOR STATE LEGISLATION TO BAN THIS CRUELTY. CONTACT YOUR STATE REPS AND ASK THEM TO INTRODUCE THE NEEDED PROTECTIONS.
The State of Nebraska only last year banned both "steer tailing" and "horse tripping." Colorado, horse-loving state that it is, should follow suit. Nine states have banned "horse tripping" since 1994 (California was the first). And get the PRCA involved, too (Colorado Springs). They don't sanction any of these events.
Nor should anyone rest easy about the sponsors of tomorrow's event agreeing to follow PRCA guidelines. Those two rulebooks are incompatible. PRCA rules allow 8-second rides max, on the horses and bulls. Mexican federation rules let the charro ride the animals until the animals give up in exhaustion, or the charro is thrown. It can go on for a LONG time. PRCA cowboys are required to use only one hand; Mexican rules allow two. And the PRCA bans the use of "hotshots" and requires ON SITE veterinarians at their events. They also ban the use of sharpened spurs, something that some Mexican cowboys are notorious for. The local Animal Control will have its hands full. And there are four more of these abusive events scheduled. Be prepared.
Anyone needing contact for the demo tomorrow can contact me at the number and e-mail below. Thanks for caring.
AGAIN, THIS IS NOT 'ANTI-MEXICAN.' THE ISSUE IS ANIMAL CRUELTY. As it happens, some gringos take part in these practices. (Check the www.legalizehorsetripping.com website, if you're in doubt.)
Sincerely,
Eric Mills, coordinator
ACTION FOR ANIMALS
Oakland
tel. 510/652-5603; e-mail - afa@mcn.org |
